Gilmour Space secures $145 million Australian investment to scale sovereign space capability
Major investment follows LEO vehicle launch in 2025 as the company seeks to build Australia’s space capabilities on home soil.
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Australia's first orbital launch attempt from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North QLD. Source | Gilmour Space Technologies
On Jan. 20, Gilmour Space Technologies (Queensland, Australia) secured $145 million in private equity investment to support the next phase of growth in Australia’s domestic space capability.
The Series E round was jointly led by the National Reconstruction Fund Corp. (NRFC) and Hostplus, with participation from Future Fund, Blackbird, Funds SA, Hesta, NGS Super, Main Sequence, QIC and Brighter Super.
Founded on the Gold Coast, Gilmour Space is building an end-to-end sovereign space capability spanning the design, manufacture, test and launch of rockets and satellites in Australia. In July 2025, it made its first launch attempt with the 23-meter, 30-tonne Eris 1 rocket, powered by new hybrid propulsion technologies and composite nozzles.
“This investment reflects strong investor confidence in our team and in Australia’s ability to build and operate critical space infrastructure at home,” notes Adam Gilmour, co-founder and CEO. “We’ve reached important technical and business milestones. Our focus now is on delivering reliable and regular access to space for customers both at home and abroad.”
Gilmour Space's milestones include a sovereign orbital launch attempt from home soil, the successful on-orbit operation of its 100-kilogram ElaraSat satellite platform and the establishment of the country’s licensed commercial orbital launch facility in North Queensland.
Proceeds from the raise will be used to support continued development and qualification of its Eris orbital launch vehicle, scale rocket and satellite manufacturing, expand test and launch infrastructure, and grow the company’s workforce to meet global demand for space launch services.
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